Helping create a clean atmosphere

Barbara Schlachter's Nov. 16 guest column about climate change calls us to action on this most pressing issue that was ignored during our recent elections.

One reason people fail to acknowledge this "elephant in the room" is our natural desire not to have to deal with a problem that will require so many changes in our lives. Schlachter nicely shows that wishful thinking will not make the problem disappear, and inaction is not an option if we care about the future.

A second reason is that the problem seems so huge that our individual efforts at recycling, green building and less travel are worthless.

Taken in isolation, they are. But global warming is the result of two centuries of collective carbon dioxide production, which means that if we mount similar efforts to work together we can again create a cleaner atmosphere.

Already millions of people around the world are working to change infrastructures, energy systems, lifestyles and consumer behaviors. And you know what? People are discovering that such efforts not only aren't hard, but also most actually produce many benefits besides reducing our carbon footprints.

Bob Sessions

Iowa City

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Helping create a clean atmosphere

Barbara Schlachter's Nov. 16 guest column about climate change calls us to action on this most pressing issue that was ignored during our recent elections. One reason people fail to acknowledge this